On the same day Mark Kelly’s campaign is touting a new video claiming corporate money “poisons our democracy,” The Intercept published devastating new information demonstrating Kelly has no problem taking corporate money for his own bank account:
“Kelly, however, has made at least 19 paid appearances at corporate events across the country — and in the Cayman Islands — where he addressed giants in the financial and prescription drug industries, including Goldman Sachs, the Cayman Alternative Investment Summit, the Mortgage Bankers Association, and the controversial opioid giant AmerisourceBergen, among others.”
Kelly’s prospective Senate primary challenger, Ruben Gallego, went so far as to trash Kelly on the record for the story: “It’s kind of weird, though, to say you’re not taking corporate PAC money, but then also directly taking corporate PAC money into your personal account. I don’t understand why even take that pledge if you’re not personally living that.”
Kelly’s campaign spokesman even confirms the candidate plans to continue giving paid speeches while running for office: “Asked if Kelly would continue giving paid speeches, [campaign spokesman Jacob] Peters said Kelly ‘has made some previous commitments that he will fulfill.’”
“Mark Kelly can’t continue padding his bank account with corporate dollars while pandering by pretending he isn’t. If Mark Kelly thinks corporate money ‘poisons our democracy,’ he should give back the thousands he made from those same companies he believes are so destructive.” –Senate Leadership Fund Communications Director Jack Pandol